Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-23481 · Tail rotor drive system
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that the tail rotor drive fan wheels (fan wheels) and the impeller second stage have been incorrectly identified during production. This AD requires verifying the serial number and amendment of the log cards of the affected parts, and depending on the findings, performing a one-time borescope inspection to verify consistency between the log cards and the affected parts. Depending on the results of the inspection, this AD requires replacing or re-identifying certain parts. This AD also prohibits the installation of certain fan wheels and impeller second stages on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe conditions on these products.
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2024-0127, dated July 3, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0127).
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where EASA AD 2024-0127 defines “affected part”, this AD requires replacing that text with “tail rotor drive fan wheel having part number (P/N) 704A33691014 amdt [amendment] C and impeller second stage P/N 704A33691015 amdt [amendment] C, and a serial number (S/N), as identified in the Log Card, listed as `S/N affected' in section 4.5 or 4.6 of the accomplishment procedure of Airbus Helicopters Alert Service Bulletin ASB AS355-65-00-0001, Issue 001 dated May 27, 2024”.
(4) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2024-0127.
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0127 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
